Napoleon the Great | 
pickWhilst this is a genuine #chunkster of a read...it's also very detailed read. It almost reads as a work of fiction...although there are brief moments of dry information (as a lover of historical nonfiction this didn't bother me in the slightest) but some readers may find it a little tedious. #bookspin @hearomaofbooks
pick27 Jan-6 Feb 24 (audiobook)
A long and thorough account of Napoleon‘s life. No idea why I decided to listen to this. There were a lot of battles and a large number of men and horses died. Roberts does not villainise Napoleon but it is difficult to view him as a hero, particularly after the disastrous Russian campaign. I do know significantly more about Napoleon, and to a lesser extent his contemporaries, than I did at the start of the 37+ hours.
Yesterday was the 253rd birthday of this man. Before going on to study History in college, I was already fascinated with the emperor's life and career, so it's no surprise that I immediately added this book to my wishlist the moment I learned of its existence. Thankfully, I was able to get the ebook last year. I still like seeing the physical copy in bookstores though. Will I be able to read this by August 15 next year? We'll see.
pickWell I am not an expert on the the Napoleonic period and what I have read concentrated on the English experience. As a result this book was a much needed picture of the life of Napoleon from his youth as a minor Corsican nobleman, to extraordinary general to self proclaimed emperor. Not just focussed on military campaigns but his revolutionary administrative and legal reforms which changed European society. A long but worthy read.
So I‘m reading this Smithsonian article about Napoleon (they suggested the tagged biography) when they begin talking about St. Helena. And look!! Jonathan the giant tortoise: oldest living land mammal and 1,000% done with your crap...😂😂😂😂I love him!!
"More books have been written with Napoleon and the title than there have been days since his death in 1821"
so-soCelebrating getting through this dense one with some cake that #Sancho really wants me to share. #dogsoflitsy #litsyatoz #LetterP
#Cooking while listening to an #audiobook #biography about a #French emperor pretty much makes me a French #chef, right? Right?!
Getting in a few more minutes during our walk. @24in48 #24in48 #sancho #dogsoflitsy
I've been thinking about tyrants a bit the past few days. I have no idea why¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Anyhow, here's a quote from that benevolent dictator Napoleon Bonaparte to brighten your day.
He appealed to the pride of those he would conquer but gave them no doubt as to the consequences of resistance. ‘The French army loves and respects all peoples, especially the simple and virtuous inhabitants of the mountains,‘ read a proclamation to the Tyrolese that month. ‘But should you ignore your own interests and take up arms, we shall be terrible as the fire from heaven.
These are all of Kubrick's books on Napoleon. He was researching for a film.
pickOne of the best autobiographies out there very objective and balanced viewpoint on the master of Europe.
pickIf you ever read one book about this colossally pivotal man, or even just want to understand Europe in the Napoleonic Era, I highly recommend that you make this one that read. A longtime student of history, and I was still blown away by the intricacies and complexities of the man, his contemporaries, and his time. This book can easily be read in small chunks as well if you feel intimidated by weight. Pair with: Domaine Abbatucci 2014, room temp.
pickIf you ever read one book about this colossally pivotal man, or even just want to understand Europe in the Napoleonic Era, I highly recommend that you make this one that read. A longtime student of history, and I was still blown away by the intricacies and complexities of the man, his contemporaries, and his time. This book can easily be rid in small chunks as well if you feel intimidated by weight. Pair with: Domaine Abbatucci 2014, room temp.
